Even though it was just an hour ago, Shego was only barely able to restrain herself from calling again. The fact that Electronique had actually tried to murder Ron frightened her more than she had previously thought possible. It was something she couldn't have imagined even a year ago: fear, not for herself, but for someone else.

He's fine, he's safe, he survived. Shego told herself over and over. Try as she might, however, she couldn't get the imagery out of her head. The whole fight was caught live from a news helicopter and nearly every station in the country played it obsessively for the past couple of days. In fact, the first thing he did once it was over was call her and let her know that he was relatively unharmed.

Electronique had been one of the more dangerous enemies that she had faced alongside her brothers. Avairius was usually someone that they were able to deal with relatively quickly; Electronique was another matter entirely. On numerous occasions, she had come within an inch of killing her brothers. "Should have known it was too good to be true." Shego muttered. Villains never seemed to stay locked up for long.

"What are you muttering about, Shego?" Drakken groaned. "Whatever it is, it can wait until I get my hands on this prototype."

He had no idea just how close he had come to being knocked into another coma. Already Shego's hands were igniting, responding to her emotions. It had been years since she had been that close to losing control. Instead, though, she decided to respond in her typical fashion. "Yeah, another asinine take-over-the-world plot." She didn't even care about the details.

"It's more than time to come out of retirement." Drakken proclaimed. "People are no longer fearing the name 'Dr. Drakken' and I intend to make sure I rebuild my previous reputation."

"You mean the reputation as a bumbler who constantly kicks his butt kicked by Kimmy, assuming that they can remember who you are at all." Shego snarked, currently working on the alarm system. It was considerably more sophisticated than what she was accustomed to.

"You know what I mean!" Drakken snapped, while Shego finally disabled the device.

"Come on, we've got to get moving." Shego insisted. "We don't have a lot of time before security gets here." Part of her, though, was questioning why she was doing this.

This is what it meant to be Shego, standing between two paths. She had received a pardon for her efforts in bringing Kim back and the choice she had to make was whether to throw all of that away and return to her old life as a criminal... or whether she would make something more of herself, do something with the second chance she was offered.

Outwardly, she appeared completely calm, focusing solely on the job Drakken wished her to do. It couldn't be further from the truth, however. Are you really willing to throw everything away, everything I've done for you? It was like Ron was there alongside her, trying to talk her out of what she knew was wrong. Shego had always known, of course, but until now, it hadn't mattered to her. She had grown so sick of her brother's team and Hego's self-righteousness.

"I'm just doing what comes naturally." Shego stated. She had started this whole thing in a form of rebellion against her family, not to mention she discovered that the pay and benefits were much better as a supervillain. It seemed like a hollow reason now, all things considering. And yet I'm still here. Shego thought.

Sure enough, security had been called and a dozen men surrounded the two of them, each of them pointing guns. "Hands in the air!" One of them demanded, whom Shego assumed was the leader. She complied, weighing her options. While her body could withstand some bullets, a sustained barrage could still take her down and Drakken wasn't protected in the least. 2 or 3, she'd take her chances; a dozen was a different matter.

They were forced up against the wall, with Drakken reaching into his pocket. His hand was swiftly grabbed and his arm twisted behind his back. "Let go of me; how dare you treat someone like me this way?" Shego wanted more than anything to pummel him half to death, but she knew she wouldn't make it past a few feet should she decide to take such an action.

"What is a man your age doing playing with toys?" One of them laughed, only to start coughing. Gas began seeping out of it, and Drakken hastily covered his nose as mouth as the others began to fall unconscious. Within a minute, all of them were on the floor, unconscious or nearly so.

Shego's respect for Drakken had just gone up considerably. She would never have imagined that he would have brought anything like that along. Evidently, her surprise must have shown, for he said: "Oh, don't look so surprised, Shego! I've learned a few tricks since our last break-in."

"Great, so where is this supposed to be again?" Shego wondered, hoping that she didn't end up lost thanks to his sense of direction, and all the while feeling like she should be hightailing it before she had gotten into more trouble. She hadn't hurt anyone yet and hadn't actually stolen what they were supposed to be after.

"We're about fifty yards away from it; the adrenals that will make my henchmen invincible!" Drakken laughed. "This'll show Dementor who the better mad scientist is!"

"All this for some stupid formula?" Shego groaned, slapping her forehead. "Give me a very good reason why I shouldn't walk out of here right now!" Please just be your usual self, say something foolish and let me storm out of here. I've hurt him enough as it is. Try as she might, though, her instincts were slowly taking over.

"Oh, come on, Shego, this is what you were born to me!" Drakken exclaimed. "I've watched you mope around my lair for months and since you won't tell me anything, I decided to try and cheer you up another way. I know you don't go for anything sentimental."

That was actually kind of touching. The fact he was thinking of something other than his own desires was more than a little surprising. "Okay, just let me disable the security system." Shego still had her doubts, but they were slowly disappearing.

There were a few more guards, but she was able to swiftly knock them all unconscious while Drakken used one of his handheld devices to take down the electrical field. Sometimes, Shego wondered why he didn't just try to make millions the honest way by patenting all of his inventions; he'd have had a lot more success. But I'd be out of a job... and it's his choice. Shego shrugged, grabbing the beaker, which was much heavier than it appeared, and it was actually proving somewhat difficult to haul it out.

"Hold on!" Drakken exclaimed just as they were about to leave.

"What is it now?" Shego sighed.

"Kim Possible and that sidekick of hers... Don something... should be jumping in about now." Drakken remarked, his eyes wandering the ceiling. "In fact, they should have done it well before now."

"Kimmy doesn't work for Global Justice anymore!" Shego exclaimed. Still, she couldn't help but worry. GJ or not, it wouldn't stop her if she could get here, and in her current state, she had real fear that Kim would actually attempt to kill her. Drakken had asked about that previously, but she blew it off, saying it was just another of their constant battles. If only he knew...

"In that case, let's get out of here before anything else shows up!" Drakken ran out, heading to their hovercraft, Shego struggling to follow. Much to her surprise, the rest of the job went by without a hitch.

About ten minutes into the ride, she received a call from her cell phone. Having a bad feeling about this, Shego nevertheless picked it up: "I'm disappointed in you, Shego. I thought you were better than this." Ron declared, and hung up without giving her a chance to reply. Shego spent the rest of the trip feeling like she wanted to cry.

XXXXXXXXXX

Maybe it's best that I don't return to Global Justice after all, Kim thought. Living a normal life would be a major adjustment for her after the past few years, but it seemed better than the alternative. However much she might have deserved it, Kim knew she couldn't live with herself if she killed another human being. Apparently she hadn't gotten her dark feelings under control as much as she previously thought.

However, she now realized that pushing Ron and others away was not the answer. If anything, it made her anger worse and her more likely to lash out at someone. She hoped that whatever was messing with her brain would disappear naturally, because while her parents were trying to find an answer, they were still at square one.

"I think I'll stick with Middleton college for now." Kim decided. If she decided to apply elsewhere after a semester or two, she could easily do so. Many universities would take her in with her grades and hundreds of volunteering hours, not to mention her "saving the world" career. Best of all, it would keep her close to her friends, and perhaps her sanity.

Her website had already been shut down. There was no need for it anymore, now that her career was over. Besides, although Wade did his best to filter them, it was becoming a near potpourri of death threats and hopes that she would simply blow her brains out and do the world a favor. Her belief in human decency had taken a severe beating, along with the unpleasant knowledge that Ambrose had been right about them.

Ron walked into the room, looking, if anything, more depressed than she currently was. "Hey, KP!" he greeted, trying to hide it, but Kim knew him far too well for that to have any hope of success. "How you doing?"

"About as well as can be expected, I guess." Kim shrugged. "Still can't believe we were attacked like that in broad daylight."

"Yeah, well, least I got a chance to show off my awesome moves!" Ron made a ridiculous pose that Kim gave a brief chuckle at. He extended his hand, focusing on her laptop and very slowly lifted it up into the air. It was too heavy for him to keep there more than a few seconds, but Kim's mouth was wide open.

"That's... that's amazing, Ron!" Km gasped. "How did you learn that?"

"Many, many hours of progress; nice to know this monkey power is actually good for something." Ron laughed, looking over the application she was filling out. "Hey, we'll be in a couple classes together. You're actually taking cooking?"

"Well, I'm going to have to learn sometime." Kim admitted. She hated not being able to cook; even the Tweebs were able to do so better than she could.

"Hey, I've offered to teach you countless times." Ron smiled. "I'm better suited than any teacher over there to duck and cover when you begin. I've even got my own personal wall to hide behind."

"Very funny, Ron." Kim rolled her eyes, though she was amused at his banter. Strange how something so simple and previously annoying could cheer her up so quickly. "Not all of us are kitchen gods."

"Hey, what can I say; I was born with it, apparently." Ron smirked. He extended his hand again and grabbed the pen out of her hand, levitating it just out of her reach.

"Give that back!" Kim demanded, leaping to grab it, only for Ron to send it flying clear across the other room. However, he was so busy laughing that he lost his concentration and ended up tripping over one of the couch legs, his pants falling to his ankles.

"I have Mystical Monkey Powers and I still can't manage to keep my pants up." Ron groaned, while Kim giggled at him. Still, at least it meant that she was cheering up. He'd humiliate himself a thousand times should it prove necessary. "Wonder what college is going to be like. Hopefully, better than high school."

"It should be; aren't nearly as many bullies there." Kim reassured.

"That doesn't scare me anymore," Ron admitted. After facing Monkey Fist and Ambrose, a few punks didn't seem very frightening. "Let's see what's on."

"I think Agony County is about to start in a few minutes." Kim pointed out, turning the television on. She was just hoping there weren't yet more replays of the fight with Electronique. It seemed like it was all anyone could talk about. "Ron, what's wrong?"

"What are you talking about, KP?" Ron asked, trying to brush it off. \

"Ron, don't try that; I saw how you felt the moment you walked in here." Kim insisted. "Make all the jokes you want. I can see right through them."

"Look, it... it's nothing." Ron sighed. "At least nothing I shouldn't have seen coming."

"What are you talking about?" Kim asked.

"I was watching it on the news last night; there was a break-in and some formula was stolen from a Colorado lab." Ron whispered, holding himself against the couch for fear he would collapse if he did not. "The two identified as responsible... were Drakken and Shego."

"So what?" Kim shrugged. "I knew he'd be back to his old tricks sooner or later, but it's not our problem anymore. Let Team Impossible deal with them." Even as she spoke, however, she had an instinctive urge to hunt down and foil whatever scheme the two of them were working on now. It had become a constant of life for her: facing Drakken and Shego. Yes, she had plenty of other enemies, but those two were the ones she encountered most often.

Her attitude changed quickly when she saw just how devastated Ron was, something that took her by surprise. She knew he and Shego had grown to know each other, but had he really gotten that attached to her? Evidently, the answer was yes, since he pressed his head up against the couch and stared off into space.

"I... thought she was better than that, I really did." Ron moaned. "How could she do this to me?"

"Ron, you can't control what she does; being a villain is who Shego is." Kim tried to reassure, but only made Ron feel worse. She knew there was a piece of the puzzle she was missing, but couldn't quite figure out what it was. "Look, I'm proud of you for making the effort; none of this is your fault."

"You still don't understand," Ron admitted, debating on whether or not to tell her. There was no telling how she would react to that news. Still, it was likely she would figure it out sooner or later. "Shego and I... more happened than you realize during your absence."

"Wait, what?" Kim's mouth opened. Was he saying what she thought he was? Ron and Shego... together? Her mind couldn't fathom it.

"We kind of ended up... developing feelings for one another." Ron gulped, hoping this wouldn't set her off. "I'd never have imagined it, but as it turned out... me and her have more in common than I would have thought."

Kim simply stood there, too stunned to move. They were opposites in every possible way! How could this have happened? Her first impulse was to hunt down Shego and rip her to shreds. She could do it too; the battle at Camp Wannaweep proved as much. The second impulse was to hit Ron as hard as she could and let him have it for breaking her heart. How could he have betrayed her?!

Rip him limb from limb; it's no less than he deserves! Her darker half insisted, or Kim One. Show him what it means to break your heart!

You broke up with him, remember? Kim Two reminded her. He's devastated. Ron needs your support, not your anger.

He was cheating on you before you did! Kim One screamed. You deserve better than that! Attack!

"How... how long has this been going on?" Kim inquired. She would reserve her action, at least give him the chance to explain himself before she did anything drastic.

"An actual relationship... only about a week or so." Ron explained. He felt lower than pond scum, even though she had broken up with him beforehand. "We have been friends for months... and each aware of the other's attraction. It was when you showed up last week that we finally decided to give our relationship a try."

"What are you going to do now?" Kim asked, trying to keep her voice as calm as possible. She hoped he would break up with her, never speak to her again. I'll rip her heart out for what she's done! Kim promised. She was still angry with Ron, of course, but now it was primarily because he hadn't told her about this sooner.

"I haven't decided yet." Ron admitted. "I'd still like to reform her, however foolish that might sound as this point. This is something I'll have to put some thought into."

Honestly, Kim thought that actually reforming Shego was about as likely as Ron becoming a billionaire, but she decided to keep her mouth shut. "Well, whatever you decide, I'll support you." She sat down on the couch next to him as he rested his head on her shoulder.

XXXXXXXXXX

Gil swore that he would make him pay for this. He had just barely survived his attempt to break into Global Justice's headquarters for what this guy wanted, some stupid statue. Now he could do nothing but listen to his brother's screams.

He wanted nothing more than to rip this man apart, limb from limb. His brother's scream nearly deafened him as lightning poured through his body, limbs convulsing. Mike was dying, he could feel it. Only the knowledge that his brother would be instantly killed and that even in his creature form, his attack would be futile, stayed his hand. Even then, it was a close call.

Electronique walked into the room, looking nervous, although she did her best to hide it. "So did you accomplish your task?" The man asked.

She gulped and stammered, but eventually said: "No... Possible managed to beat me. She's stronger than I ever imagined." She backed up a few steps, hoping that he wouldn't decide to take his anger out on her.

"I give you one simple, effortless task and you fail me." The man hissed, lifting her up into the air and choking her. "Seems easy, doesn't it: ambush them, kill the Outsider, and bring Possible to me. Give me one reason why I should let you live."

"Please... please... I can try again..." Electronique gasped, begging for mercy. She was a proud woman, not easily cowed, but he was a darkness beyond anyone she had ever met in her life.

"Actually, I can come up with a reason: you did succeed, at least to a point." he said, dropping her. "My contact has already informed me that our operation is proceeding as planned. With my former master dead, there's nothing to protect Miss Possible anymore."

"Why don't you send the boy?" Electronique demanded, Gil furious that she would consider his life to be worth so little.

"Oh, I will... at the proper time." The man smiled. "While I was hoping this would be a simple task, the fact you failed does not matter much in the long run and the fact that you sent the information through the proper channels mitigates your failure."

"So what next, Fukushima?" Electronique snarled. She had no intention of staying with him and would break free at the first opportunity. She had thought she would be a partner, an assistant at worse, when he told her his plan, but soon found out that she was little more than a slave to him.

"My master was weak, but he did have some valuable lessons." Fukushima laughed. "Possible is even more unbalanced than I previously suspected, meaning that this will be quite simple. For now, I'll let her think she's safe." He still had a power base to build and his ally would need time to complete his part of the plan.

Why couldn't he have left me out of this? Gil moaned to himself. He had just gotten back to living a normal life, and had no desire to try and fight Ron again. Fukushima evidently had other plans and until he found a way to free his brother, he had little choice but to do what he said. He would never stop looking for an escape route, however.

Fukushima laughed to himself. Weak and pathetic, every one of them. Ever since Ambrose had made his offer, he had felt stronger than he ever imagined possible. Team Possible, however, would be a significant obstacle and he saw no need to expose himself to them just yet. It infuriated him that his master had considered that girl to be so important, had almost worshipped her. He would enjoy breaking her and proving how weak she truly was.

"Now, Gil, I have a new job for you..." Fukushima declared.

XXXXXXXXXX

Okay, that's the end for now. Hope this wrapped up a few plotholes in the process. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the sequel: "Keep your friends close".